The best ‘rom-coms’ on Netflix Australia

Romantic comedies are, without fail, one of the greatest genres of movies. For a while there, there was a bit of a shortage. But thanks to Netflix, ‘rom-coms’ are making a comeback. And why shouldn’t they? Rom-coms make us laugh, smile and feel those warm and fuzzies. Whether you’re already married or desperate for love, aged 15 or 50, there’s always a little something for everyone. So, kick up your feet, grab some popcorn and settle in. Canstar Blue runs you through 10 of the best rom-com movies on Netflix Australia. Get ready, because these will put hearts in your eyes.

Sing Street

Set in Dublin during the 1980s recession, Sing Street is a coming-of-age musical romantic comedy. Yes, you heard that right. An Irish musical. Basically, it’s everything you can imagine, plus more. The movie’s main character – 14-year-old Conor – is forced to move from his private school to an alternative tough public all-boys school when his parents face both relationship and money troubles. It’s here that he meets ‘the one’ – the cool and mysterious Raphina who he falls instantly in love with, and tries to impress by asking her to be in his band’s music video. There’s only one problem – there is no band. Conor scrambles to throw one together, and in the process, goes on a journey of discovery, creativity, friendship and love.

Notting Hill

“After all, I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her”. We’re all familiar with the famous line from Julia Roberts’ Anna Scott as she pleas Hugh Grant’s William Thacker to take her back. This timeless classic has only just hit Netflix Australia, and all we can say is thank goodness. In case you aren’t familiar, William Thacker is a London bookstore owner who can’t believe it when ultra-famous movie actress Anna Scott enters his book shop. She ends up back at his house – only because he spills orange juice on her – and his life turns upside down forever. The movie focuses on the two navigating their relationship and the obstacles they meet along the way in conjunction with Anna’s fame. This quirky, feel good is romantic comedies at its absolute best.

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Set It Up

A Netflix Original that was released right when the genre needed it, this rom-com is surprisingly hilarious and heart-warming. Set in modern day New York, assistants Harper and Charlie work for horrible, demanding bosses and they are sick of being overworked and underpaid. They decide to ‘Cyrano’ their bosses to get their freedom back – aka helping them fall in love with each other through carefully planned encounters and telling them what to say and do, completely unknowingly to the bosses. Like any good romantic comedy, the two main characters become close throughout their scheming and realise that they are falling for each other. They pretty much ‘Cyranoed’ themselves. Is that a spoiler? Oh well.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

If 2018 is the year of the rom-com return, then this Netflix Original is the King. Released shortly after a string of successful original rom-coms, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before has captured the attention and hearts of… everyone. Based on the hit YA book by Jenny Han, the story focuses around sweet Lara Jean and the private love letters she’s written to her crushes in previous years. But (somewhat predictably) the letters get out, causing the five boys to confront her. Her current crush, and her older sister’s ex-boyfriend, is amongst the boys. Lara Jean does everything she can to avoid him, even if that means fake-dating school jock and all-around heartthrob Peter Kavinsky. Obviously, nothing goes to plan and Lara Jean finds herself having to make some huge decisions. This movie gives off serious John Hughes and Nora Ephron vibes and in 20 years will most likely be a classic. Stay tuned.

Just One of the Guys

Everyone knows the Amanda Bynes rom-com classic She’s the Man. Well, Just One of the Guys came first (in 1985, to be exact). Main character Terry is an inspiring reporter, who is convinced she isn’t being taken seriously because of her good looks. So, she decides to change schools, and pose as a boy for two weeks while her parents away to prove her point. She enlists her brother to help her, and soon makes friends with all the boys. But things start to spiral out of control when she falls in love with one of them.

Practical Magic

A young Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star together in this magical story of two sisters who grow up with crazy aunties following the death of their parents. They discover they are the latest in a long family line of witches – which is all fun and games, until it’s not. All women in their family are under a curse in which any man that falls in love with them is then doomed to an untimely death. Kidman’s Gillian decides to live her life to the fullest, run away to an island and be with the one she loves. The other, Bullock’s practical Sally, swears off men and magic – but we all know that’s not going to last. Nothing more can be said without ruining the plot, but picture chaos, love and a whole lot of witchcraft.

The Lobster

This ‘rom-com’ is not exactly the same as the others listed – think more along the lines of Black Mirror, but more lovable. Kind of. The Lobster is a dystopian, romantic black comedy that will have you scratching your head, laughing out loud and rooting for the main character. The twisted satire is set in the future, in a society where single people are sent off to a hotel where they have 45 days to find a partner. If anyone is unsuccessful in falling in love in the allocated time period, they are turned into… an animal of their choice and released into the woods – the transformation not mean to be a punishment, but another chance at love as another species. The main character David (Colin Farrel) has just seen his wife of 11 years leave him, and is therefore thrown into the hotel, where he chooses to became a lobster (if he fails!) You’ll have to watch and find out if that happens or not.

Failure to Launch

Moving away from lobsters, Failure to Launch follows 35-year-old pathetic Tripp (Matthew McConaughey), a professional couch potato who still lives with his mum. However, after 35 years she’s had enough (understandably) and wants him out, but doesn’t know how to tell him. So, in comes Sarah Jessica Parker, hired by Tripp’s mother to seduce and manipulate him into moving out. After a while, the two fall genuinely in love, but like with all good rom-coms, something needs to go wrong. Tripp’s best friends discover who SJP really is (literally his mum’s employee) and all hell breaks loose.

First Daughter

Possibly one of the greatest political movies of our generation, First Daughter follows Samantha MacKenzie, the daughter of the president of the United States as she first attends college. She has spent her entire life as the sweet, innocent daughter who lives in the White House by her parents’ side. The poor girl would have zero social life – that is until she decides she wants to attend college and live a normal life. But her time at college is anything but normal, as she is followed by a truckload of secret service agents and is tip-toed around by everyone. That is, until she meets a cute college boy who sees her for whom she really is. They fall for each other and everything is peaches and roses – until Samantha uncovers a huge secret. Cue dramatic music!

What If?

Harry Potter is back in a slightly more upbeat movie than the last eight he spent fighting Voldemort. Daniel Radcliffe stars beside Zoe Kazan in this charming rom-com that challenges the age-old question – can a guy and a girl be best friends without anything more? Radcliffe plays Wallace, a med school dropout who’s had a rough trot with women in the past. He spirals into an anti-social slump, until his roommate drags him to a party where he meets Kazan’s cute and bubbly character, Chantry. Wallace quickly learns about Chantry’s boyfriend, and the two decide to be friends. Wallace tries to hide his growing feelings for Chantry, but ends up colliding with her boyfriend (much like he did with Voldemort) and it gets a whole lot messy from there on out.

Have we missed your favourite rom-com?

Think we’ve missed a rom-com classic, or new movie that absolutely must make this list? Well, tell us about it. Go to the contact us section of our website and send us an email, or you can join the conversation on our Facebook page. We look forward to hearing from you!

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